Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Sport or Fitness (02/15/07)
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TITLE: The Race in His Strength | Previous Challenge Entry
By Elizabeth Baize
02/17/07 -
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Surrounded, but alone.
Despair was clutching at my heart;
My hope of life had flown.
I crumpled down upon my face;
My heart in earnest cried,
“Oh God above, if You exist,
Come now and be my Guide!”
With wonder flowing through my soul
I saw the darkness part.
A ray of light burst through the night
To shine into my heart.
A prayer of thanks I offered up,
“Oh Lord, my eyes can see!
The darkness has been sliced away;
I know You’ve set me free.”
A voice then fell upon my ear,
“My child, rise, run your race.
But do not fear for I am near
To fill You with my grace.”
Before me stretched a golden path
So narrow and so straight.
“My child, no matter what you see
You must not deviate.”
“Yes, Lord!” I flew at lightning speed
With joy down the trail.
But soon I sank down to my knees
My weakness did prevail.
“Oh Father, I have failed again;
No strength in me remains.”
“Yes child, your strength will fade away,
But Mine always sustains.”
“Then Lord, replace my feeble strength
With Your own mighty power
That I may run and not grow faint
Again within the hour.”
“Run then, my child, My strength is yours;
Endurance is the key.
And run with patience, faith, and hope
Until you’re home with Me.
He gently raised me to my feet;
My race began anew,
Rejoicing in His strength alone
As down the path I flew.
But suddenly before me stood
A great and lofty wall.
I faltered with a mounting fear
That I would surely fall.
Perhaps there was another way
Around instead of over.
But then again I heard the voice,
“My child, don’t be a rover.”
“The path is straight. Just take the leap
And trust that you will fly
On wings that soar above, beyond
This wall that seems so high.”
I leaped and hurtled through the air;
The wall beneath me lay.
“Oh Lord, increase my faith,” I prayed,
“You’ve proved Yourself today.”
Then onward in my race I pressed;
The way seemed smooth and plain
‘Til up ahead a jagged cliff
Reared up with proud disdain.
I found myself right at the base;
The stones seemed smooth as glass.
“I’ll never reach the top!” I cried.
“There must be some bypass.”
“Now child, your path runs up this cliff.
I’ll give you feet that cling
Like those of deer or mountain goats;
From rock to rock you’ll spring.”
“I’ll trust You Lord.” I set my foot
Upon the rocks to find
I climbed them with the skill and ease
God’s grace for me combined.
In triumph I did reach the peak;
More mountains lay ahead.
But faithful was my loving Lord
As on and on He led.
But finally a mountain rose
More lofty than the rest.
And this one stood upon my path;
I knew it was a test.
This mountain was not made to climb;
Instead God had a plan
To show His strength was just as strong
As when my race began.
“Oh God above, if I have faith
The size of a small seed,
I know this mountain will remove
So that I may proceed.”
The mountain shook from base to crest.
In awe I watched it slide
Into the very ocean depths;
My Lord was glorified.
Before me where the mount had stood
My path shone in the sun.
“May God above be praised today
For matchless deeds He’s done!”
And up ahead I saw my Lord;
“He’s waiting there for me!”
In humble adoration I
Did bow upon my knee.
“Well done, my child. You’ve won your race.”
His hands were on my brow.
“The victor’s crown is yours today;
With love I give it now.”
I raised my hands and touched the gold
That stood for Race Complete.
Then took the crown won with His strength
And placed it at His feet.
The following verses were on my mind in order as they come up in the poem:
Isaiah 40:31
Heb. 12:1
Ps. 18:24
2 Sam. 22:34
Mt. 17:20
Mk. 11:23
2 Tim. 4:7-8
Js. 1:12
Rev. 4:10
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